Gaven Sra
[MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM CHARACTERS & THEIR DESIRES]
Block 1.4
Theseus: His desire is to be as realistic about his problems as possible to make sure he is
making the right decision. When he was talking to Hermia, he was giving helpful advice
about how her father deserves that control, since he was the one that raised her. Here is
an example from the play “To you, your father should be as a god, one that composed
your beauties, yea and one, to whom you are but as a form of wax, by him imprinted, and
within his power, to leave the figure, or disfigure it.” 1.1.48 . He was helping her weigh
her options. As a powerful figure, Hermia should take Theseus’ advice to heart.
Hippolyta: Her desire is to have a graceful wedding. One that isn’t going to be out-ofthe-ordinary for a negative reason. To her it seems as if she is going to go through the
process peacefully and without any conflict along the way. An example is when she said
“Four days will quickly steep themselves in night. Four nights will quickly dream away
the time.” 1.1.7
Egeus: His desire is to get rid of Lysander from interrupting his decision. Egeus is the
reason why there is a conflict. If he didn’t exist, Hermia would already be married to
Lysander. His power is shown in this quote: “As she is mine, I may dispose of her, which
shall be, either to this gentleman or to her death, according to our law immediately
provided, in that case.” 1.1.43 .As a father, he is doing what he thinks would be best for
Hermia in the long term. His trust in Demetrius is important because he has no idea how
well Lysander will protect Hermia but he does know how well Demetrius will.
Hermia: Her desire is to not be controlled by her father. She feels as if her father isn’t
looking at what is best through her perspective. This is shown in the quote “I would my
father looked but with my eyes.” 1.1.58. This isn’t an easy task as her father does think
he has made the right decision. His stubbornness was considered normal as most father’s
assigned their daughters to a husband.
Demetrius: His desire is to make Hermia his lover. Sucking up to her father hasn’t made
a difference in her eyes. Now that he has her father’s favor, he has made his job easier
since her father has so much power over her. The quote “Relent, sweet Hermia, and
Lysander, yield thy crazed title to my certain right.” 1.1.93 further supports this.
Lysander: His desire is to get Hermia back from Demetrius’ control. He wonders why
her father prefers Demetrius as shown in the quote “I am, my lord, as well derived as he,
as well possessed. My love is more than his, my fortunes every way as fairly ranked, if
not with vantage, as Demetrius” 1.1.101. This has nothing to do with him but with
Demetrius actually trying to get more power than other men. But, Lysander treats it as if
he has to show his love.